A club of choice

November 07, 2011

Students sign up for campus activities during the annual Pio Fair.

Undergraduate Campus

Academics and activities go hand in hand at Lewis & Clark, providing a balanced‚ interesting‚ and rewarding college experience. From students’ first days on campus—when the annual Pio Fair offers a preview of the countless ways to get involved—Lewis & Clark hums with activity all year long.

No matter a student’s particular interests, Lewis & Clark offers dozens of options for activities, ranging from academics to advocacy, religion to recreation.

“There’s a club for students to explore almost any interest,” Jason Feiner, director of the Office of Student Activities, said. “And if students don’t find what they are looking for, they have the freedom to form their own club.”

Learn about a few student groups below.

Film Club

Number of members: 15Organizers: Zoe Nutter ’14 and Riley Lynch ’14

Though Lynch and Nutter just launched the Film Club this fall, they weren’t surprised when interested students swarmed their information table at Lewis & Clark’s annual Pio Fair.

“Film is—in many young adults’ eyes—the most popular form of art in the 20th century,” Lynch explained.

Both Nutter and Lynch grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by cinema, thanks to parents who worked in the industry. Now, they’re excited to share their lifetime love of film with the Lewis & Clark community.

“We thought it would be a great way to lure more people into the fascinating world of film,” Nutter said. “Members of Film Club are extremely artistically inclined and appreciate historical commemoration through impeccable cinematographic genius.”

While the concept may sound lofty, weekly screenings have practical implications. The club sometimes picks films based on books read in class, and all screenings include a lively and educational discussion.

“Sitting and watching a movie with someone and going on the same journey is a fantastic community builder,” Lynch said. “Being able to discuss afterwards allows students to bring cool new ideas to the table that might otherwise have fallen on deaf ears.”

Animal Club

Number of members: 20Organizer: Chloe Waterman ’12

From carnivores to vegans, ferret fanatics to those who just miss their family pet, Lewis & Clark’s Animal Club offers an inclusive environment. Students can participate in a variety of ways, such as taking a field trip to an animal sanctuary, participating in a letter-writing campaign, or volunteering at the Humane Society.

The club holds at least one event per week and collaborates with other campus groups, including the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Biology Club, and local organizations, like the Portland Animal Defense League. This year, Waterman plans to combine successful programs from the past with new ideas.

“We’ll be leading an Alternative Spring Break trip similar to the one we took last year to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, where we volunteered with rescued farm animals,” Waterman said. “Another of my goals for this year is to integrate my academic interests in animals with Animal Club by organizing a panel discussion on the direction of the animal rights movement or neo-artisanal butchery.”

Pep Band

Number of members: 18Organizer: Willa Keegan-Rodewald ’13

The many triumphs of Pioneer Athletics have made this an exciting fall for fans. Adding to the spirited atmosphere, the flourishing Pep Band entertains audiences with popular music and drumline cadences.

“Every time the Pep Band performs, alumni, faculty, and students tell me how much they appreciate us being there,” Keegan-Rodewald said.

Made up of students and alumni, Pep Band is the place for musicians who prefer a casual concert to a formal ensemble.

“The entire student body is invited to join the band, not just music majors,” Keegan-Rodewald said. “It’s about enjoying making music together and playing things that everyone will enjoy listening to.”

Getting involved at Lewis & Clark

Given the depth and breadth of options at Lewis & Clark, most students don’t limit themselves to involvement in just one club.

“I still remember attending Pio Fair my freshman year and signing up for more than 21 clubs,” Waterman said. “I will come away from Lewis & Clark having learned to guide whitewater rafts, played in Frisbee tournaments, spoken to high school students about coming to college with a learning difference, attended Powershift in Washington, D.C., and, of course, I will have the invaluable experience of creating and leading Animal Club over the last three years.”